THERE'S nothing fishy about Trevor "Big Trev" Arbon's ability to get in touch with his natural surroundings.

Mr Arbon, from Tweed Heads, has earned the title of the fish whisperer thanks to his uncanny skill at training schools of fish in Jack Evans Boat Harbour.

All it takes is some well timed claps on the water surface and Mr Arbon has fish swarming around him, leaping from the water for a bite to eat.

Mr Arbon owns an aquatic recreation hire service at Jack Evans and has had plenty of time to perfect his crowd pleasing performance.

Children and adults both gathered around to watch him interact with the schools of fish that even follow him up and down the harbour.

Mr Arbon said he learnt to attract the fish from an Aboriginal elder around a decade ago, who had previously used the skill as a crafty fishing tool.

"It was taught to me by this old Aboriginal fella years ago," he said

"The dolphins used to herd up the mullet around Ukerbah Island so they would use clap sticks.

"I didn't have any clap sticks so I started using my hand and from then I've been doing it for probably ten to twelve years.

Once Mr Arbon had got the hang of attracting the schools, he was captivated by the friendly nature of the fish.

"It's just something that's pretty amazing," he said.

"I'll walk down to the water and they'll know that it's me and they'll come straight to me and follow me up and down the beach all morning."

Mr Arbon was proud to show off the act to tourists and locals alike, who were surprised that the fish would school so close to people in such a busy harbour.

"I think it's something magical in the middle of town," he said.

The fish whisperer was also happy to see other marine drawcards the harbour's residents attracted.

"The dolphins come in here once or twice a day here and they come to feed off the smaller fish," he said.

"There's not many places in the world where you can feed fish and the dolphins come in to the main street of town."

Mr Arbon thought he knew why his weird but wonderful talent worked so well.

"It's like the way they train dolphins and sea lions," he said.

"You make the sound, they do their trick, you feed them. They're quite intelligent."

Tweed's resident fish whisperer urged people to take care to preserve the pristine harbour.

"If we can keep this little sanctuary here then the fish will be here for generation after generation," he said.

"That way everyone can enjoy this place."